Effects of organic zinc and phytase supplementation in a maize-soybean meal diet on the performance and tissue zinc content of broiler chicks

T. Ao, J. L. Pierce, A. J. Pescatore, A. H. Cantor, K. A. Dawson, M. J. Ford, B. L. Shafer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

1. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Bioplex Zn (a chelated zinc proteinate) and phytase supplementation in a maize-soybean meal diet on the performance and tissue zinc (Zn) content of broiler chicks. Treatment structure consisted of a 2 6 factorial arrangement with two inclusions of phytase (0 or 500 PU/kg) and 6 of Bioplex Zn providing 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 mg Zn/kg diet. A total of 864 chicks were randomly assigned to each of 12 dietary treatments with 6 replicate cages of 12 chicks. 2. Dietary inclusion of phytase increased feed intake, weight gain, plasma Zn content, tibia Zn content, tibia and ash weight. 3. Dietary supplementation of Bioplex Zn linearly increased feed intake, weight gain, gain to feed ratio, plasma Zn concentration, liver Zn concentration, tibia Zn content, tibia and ash weight. 4. An interactive effect of phytase and Bioplex Zn on feed intake, weight gain, tibia Zn concentration and tibia ash weight was found. 5. One slope, straight broken-line analysis of weight gain regressed on the supplemental Zn level provided as Bioplex Zn indicated that 12 mg/kg supplemental Zn without phytase and 74 mg/kg supplemental Zn with phytase were required for the optimal weight gain of chicks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)690-695
Number of pages6
JournalBritish Poultry Science
Volume48
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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